Female sleeping UNDER sand

[Khallendros]

Hi,

I have a large enclosure, that has sifted playsand in it. One of my female beardies that is about 14" decided that today, being the first day in the sand, would bury herself literally right under it. My wife couldnt find her and she was under for approx 8-10 hours.

When I got home I was able to find her by raking through with my hands, and pulled her out. My first thought was "How can she still be alive without suffocating?!" She doesn't generally each much but this caused me concern as the other females in the enclosure all eat like pigs!

I've had her approx a month now and in general she doesn't spend much time under the heat. She should only be approx six months old now and I have never seen this.

Should I be concerned for her spending long hours under sand?

Thanks.

PS: After checking her over she seems fine and I cant see any traces of egg development.

 

[Beardednoob]

Are they caged together? The other females may be more dominate then her. Lizards in general even the "communal" ones, can develop dominance and not allow others to eat. I have heard of it in bearded dragons and seen it in uromastyx, also read of it in other species as well. I would separate her, give her, her own enclosure, if not for the possible dominance issue then possibly she may have an illness which could spread to the others.

In reading endeavors, if I remember right, dragons should not be submitted to sand until full grown. Even then there are possible adverse health risks involved. I am honestly not trying to argue this nor convince you to follow my or anyone's lead. However I want to supply you with knowledge, information.

"" Sand is not a bearded dragons natural substrate, their natural consists of a clay/loamy substance which can be seen in area of Utah, Arizona, Nevada etc.. it has a cracked appearance, they also spend considerable time in fields bordering between the clay/loamy and wooded areas. Loose sand such as play sand is similar to the deserts of Africa like the Saharan Desert.""
Clay/Loamy desert

Sand type desert

Please don't take me the wrong way.. :wink:

 

[Nasubi77]

Everything you have described - the lack of eating, the lack of basking, the hiding under the sand - can be attributed to the fact that she is overwhelmed by her cage mates. Even if they don't fight, she is definitely feeling the stress at having to share her home with them. If you don't provide her a separate home, her health will decline and within a matter of months, you will have a very sick and malnourished beardie on your hands.

 

[Khallendros]

Thanks for the responses! I have put her into her own enclosure and will see how she does from here.

 

[Nasubi77]

Thanks for the responses! I have put her into her own enclosure and will see how she does from here.

Yay! I'm sure you will see quick improvement in both her health and attitude!